"...Some of the row has been stoked by the Spanish rightwing government's need to distract from corruption charges that have been levelled against its most senior figures.
Downing Street believes the Gibraltar dispute is not going to dissipate this month, and a direct complaint at prime ministerial level was appropriate.
The dispute, at root a centuries-old argument about sovereignty of the rock off Spain, has been sparked by the Gibraltar government dumping 70 concrete blocks in the bay, something that has angered Spanish fishermen.
Britain believes the potential move on border fees breaches bilateral agreements and may also fall outside EU rules. But proportionate fees may be possible since the UK is not part of the Schengen agreement."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/07/gibraltar-david-cameron-spanish-pm
"...rightwing government's need to distract from corruption charges..."
With so much in common...